Rosa Lee (Hoppas) Jones passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 90. Rosa Lee was born in Colby, Kansas, December 26, 1928 to Moss and Rosa Lee (Richardson) Hoppas. Three days after Rosa Lee was born her mother died. She was raised by her brother, Raymond and his wife Mable along with several Aunts and Uncles. She attended grade school in Menlo and Dresden. After graduating from eighth grade, Rosa Lee and her friend Ethel Ehlers attended high school in Oberlin, Kansas. During the week, Rosa Lee and Ethel lived in an apartment in Oberlin and went home on the weekends. Rosa Lee graduated from Decatur County High School with the class of 1946. She met the love of her life George Jones, and they were married on January 17, 1948 in Colby, Kansas.
Rosa Lee and George moved to Fountain, Colorado after they were married. While living in Fountain, their first child, Mary, was born. Soon after Mary was born they moved back to Selden, Kansas. They were blessed with two more children, Jonny and Mildred. The family moved to Tasco, Kansas where they lived and farmed until retirement. Rosa Lee took care of the home and worked right along with George in the field and milking cows. She raised rabbits, chickens, ducks, and had a large garden. Rosa Lee and George were hardworking . Besides gardening and raising poultry while living on the farm, Rosa Lee worked at the Hoxie Elk’s Lodge. When Rosa Lee and George weren’t working they enjoyed playing cards with their friends. Once they retired from farming, they moved to Hoxie, Kansas where George worked part time for Fred Pratt.
January 18, 1984, George died leaving a big hole in Rosa Lee’s and the families lives. October 16, 2005, Rosa Lee was baptized and became a member of the Hoxie United Methodist Church. Rosa Lee kept busy by continuing to work at the Elks, Hoxie Sale Barn, Sheridan Inn, and at the last Trish’s. She was a great cook and her specialty was homemade breads and cinnamon rolls which many special ordered from her during the holidays. She never missed a day of going to coffee with her friends at the Mahanna Drug Store. She also did some traveling with them. Later in life, she moved to Ridgewood Manor. Here she enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, and putting puzzles together. As her health declined, she moved in to the Sheridan County Health Complex Long Term Care.
Rosa Lee is survived by her son, Jonny Jones and wife Kanda of Hoxie, Kansas; daughters, Mary Timmons and husband Chuck of Hays, Kansas, Mildred Meier and husband Richard of Grainfield, Kansas, and Carla Jewell of Hutchinson, Kansas; Grandchildren, Bonnie Augustine (Craig), Charlie Timmons (Erika), Troy Meier (Melony), Trent Meier (Melissa), Korey Herl (Darrin), Kyle Jones, Derek Jones (Carey), Drew Jones (Kylee Harris), and Scott Jewell; Great-Grandchildren, Emilee Augustine, Madison Augustine, Makayla Timmons, Kaitlynn Timmons, Austin Timmons, Brey Egbert, Nick Egbert, Cauy Meier, Saige Meier, Sadie Meier, Draden Herl, Jaylen Herl, Jenna Herl, Kenlee Jones, Asher Jones, and Krew Jones.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Jones and parents, Moss and Rosa Lee Hoppas. Brother Raymond Hoppas and wife Mable, and sisters; Mary Holmes and husband Ed, Helen Pollock and husband James, Mildred Hughbanks and husband Austin, and Nellie Olson and husband Bill.
A Funeral Service is planned for Monday, July 15, 2019, at the Hoxie United Methodist Church, 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in the Dresden Cemetery following the service.. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 14, 2019 from Noon until 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. all at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the Ridgewood Manor, Sheridan County Amusement Company, or Sheridan County Health Complex Long Term Care and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
Rosa Lee was a woman of faith who loved her family dearly and enjoyed her life. As one of her favorite poems said, if you listen with your heart you’ll hear all her love around you soft and clear, and when you must go her way she’ll greet you with a smile and welcome home. Go rest in peace Rosa Lee.